Clouds and mist shrouded the summit of the Paldea Crater, wisps of sunlight filtering down from above. Even after a long time, the scene remained as mysterious and dreamy as ever, as if transported to a fairyland.

Years had passed since Naoki's last visit, yet the environment within the crater hadn't changed much since then.

Naoki had intended for Koraidon to plunge in, diving straight to the bottom.

But before he could act, he saw the clouds below tremble violently.

It was as if something was rising from below, attempting to escape the crater and reach the outside.

A moment later, a blood-red moon emerged from beneath the clouds and soared into the distance.

Was that... the Roaring Moon?!

In the blink of an eye, the Roaring Moon vanished.

Its target, remarkably, was the vast Paldea region!

Naoki frowned, a foreboding feeling welling up in his stomach.

The Paradox Pokémon had broken through the Paldea Pit and were out. Something was wrong with the Paldea Pit!

"Koraidon, get down!"

"Ah, gasp!"

Koraidon plunged into the mist.

Upon entering, Naoki was immediately struck by a strange atmosphere.

Looking down, he saw countless Paradox Pokémon engaged in a fierce battle below. Pokémon were constantly injured or forced to flee, and many flying Paradox Pokémon were even soaring into the sky.

Their goal, like that of Roaring Moon, was the outside world!

No, they must not be allowed out!

No one knew the nature of these Paradox Pokémon better than Naoki.

If a large number of Paradox Pokémon broke through the crater and reached the Paldea region, it would bring a terrible disaster to the Pokémon and humans of this land!

"What happened in the Paldea Pit that caused these Paradox Pokémon to riot?"

"Did something happen to Professor Sada and Professor Turo?"

Naoki wondered, casting his gaze downward. A trip to the Area Zero Research Institute would be the only way to find out.

But before that...

Naoki pulled out two Poké Balls. "Dragonite, Pawmot, defend the Paldea Pit and prevent these Paradox Pokémon from entering the Paldea region!"

Dragonite and Pawmot also noticed the scene below.

Sensing the aura of unrest, their faces grew solemn.

"Oooooh!"

"Bamo!"

"I'll leave this to you," Naoki nodded to the two Pokémon, then said to Koraidon, "To the research institute!"

"Agas!"

The two continued their descent.

"Crash!"

The clouds above shifted, and oppressive black clouds enveloped the entire Paldea Pit, bringing down torrential rain.

Pawmot flew through the clouds, electricity surging from his body, transforming him into a massive ball of electricity.

Threads of electricity spread in all directions along with the rain, forming a vast electric grid that enveloped the entrance to the crater below.

The Paldea Line was instantly formed, trapping countless Paradox Pokémon within the crater.

The sound of rushing air filled Naoki's ears. Koraidon's speed was immense, and the surrounding scene was rapidly changing.

Naoki's gaze swept in all directions.

He saw that it wasn't just the Paradox Pokémon on the upper levels that were rioting, but the Paradox Pokémon throughout the entire crater were rioting!

"Ah, gah!"

Koraidon beneath him let out a warning cry.

They were almost at the bottom.

Naoki was instantly on full alert.

Before he even approached, he heard a series of violent explosions emanating from Area Zero.

When the Koraidon passed through the bottom of the giant pit, Naoki was stunned by the scene before him.

Koraidon, Koraidon, Miraidon, Miraidon…

In this place, two Koraidons and two Miraidons were engaged in a fierce battle for territory, with no distinction between friend and foe!

'No, that wasn't right!'

'Four, how could there be four? There should only be three!

But now there were four…'

So where did this Koraidon beneath him come from?

After a brief moment of shock, Naoki was awakened by Koraidon's call.

He regained his composure and quickly looked around.

Where were Professor Sada and Professor Turo?

Only by finding them could he uncover the truth!

"Ignore them, head for the research institute over there!" Naoki said solemnly.

Koraidon turned and walked away, but the two Koraidons and Miraidons quickly noticed him and his Pokémon.

They seemed to mistake Naoki and Koraidon for opponents joining the battle for territory, and attacked without hesitation!

A Koraidon leaped high, radiating a ferocious aura. It transformed and charged forward.

"Ah, Gah!"

The Koraidon narrowed its eyes, set Naoki down, and then, fearlessly, faced the onrush.

The two Koraidons collided, and with an ancient explosion, the wild Koraidon was sent reeling back.

Naoki frowned.

It seemed impossible to enter the research facility now, so he changed his strategy without hesitation.

"Koraidon, stop them!"

"Ah, Gah!"

The Koraidon narrowed its eyes and glared at the four Pokémon facing it.

An extremely powerful aura emanated from it, instantly enveloping Area Zero.

Sensing this terrifying and brutal force, one of the wild Koraidons' expressions changed slightly.

The other three also realized their current situation. Their opponent was far more powerful than they were. If they didn't defeat it, they would be the ones to fall!

In an instant, the four Pokémon changed their minds and attacked Koraidon simultaneously, attempting to eliminate it from the battle for territory.

Naoki frowned and pulled out his Rotomphone, intending to call for help.

But the next second, he saw a shocking scene.

Koraidon stood still, as the four wild Koraidons and Miraidons each used their special moves and rushed towards Koraidon.

"Boom!"

Amidst a violent explosion, the four wild Koraidons and Miraidons were unexpectedly sent flying by the Koraidon.

Watching this scene, Naoki paused.

What was going on with his Koraidon?

Its strength was so great that it could actually take on four alone!

Something was wrong. After living with the Koraidons for so many years, Naoki suddenly sensed something was amiss with this one.

Its crimson body suddenly lunged forward, its massive claws gripping a Miraidon's neck, pinning it to the wall.

Another Miraidon, like lightning, attacked from behind. The Koraidon didn't turn back. It extended its other arm and, a second before the Miraidon could reach it, precisely grasped its neck. While pinning it down, its left hand flung the other Miraidon away.

Such immense power! Such incredible speed!

The strangled Miraidon let out a hoarse sound.

The Koraidon's image was reflected in its eyes.

Gazing at the familiar figure, Miraidon's mind flashed back to a time years ago when a malicious Koraidon had inexplicably attacked him.

It had been this Koraidon then!

The other two Koraidons roared forward.

Koraidon clenched its left fist and smashed it hard into Miraidon's face, sending it flying and knocking down another Koraidon.

Then, it quickly charged at another Koraidon.

In an instant, the two fists collided, the terrifying force causing the air to resonate with a sharp, explosive roar!

Koraidon, facing four alone, was surprisingly holding its own!

Naoki stared at the scene, stunned.

He saw Koraidon transform into a red beam and soar into the air, darting through the vast space of Area Zero with the other two Koraidons and Miraidon.

In a flash, one Miraidon was knocked to the ground, its massive body landing heavily not far from Naoki.

Naoki's eyes met the Miraidon's mid-air.

In a split second, they recognized each other.

Years ago, Professor Sada had invited him to Area Zero, intending to entrust a Miraidon to his care.

However, he was stopped by a Koraidon who had intruded, and then attacked the Miraidon.

And this Miraidon was the same one from that time!

The Miraidon recognized the human, its pupils shifting slightly, its expression utterly cold.

Its mind calmly surveyed the situation.

After the brief encounter, it had realized that the Koraidon possessed a terrifying power greater than all four of them combined.

Even if they joined forces, they might not be able to defeat their opponent.

And the human before them was undoubtedly very important to the Koraidon.

Recalling the Koraidon's previous attack on it, a sinister thought arose within the Miraidon.

"Zizi!"

Dense electrical currents emanated from Miraidon's body, its cold eyes locked onto the human before it.

What had been the cause was now the effect.

Koraidon had believed that if it could defeat all the opponents, Naoki would be safe. However, it was precisely because it had attacked Koraidon and Miraidon that the current effect had occurred.

Naoki stared blankly at Miraidon, drenched in blue electricity, charging towards him.

With such rapid speed, he had no time to dodge, and could only watch the incoming strike.

In mid-air, Miraidon's eyes blazed with rage as it closed in.

And just at this critical moment, a familiar cry suddenly rang out from a distance.

At first, Naoki thought it was an illusion, until a dark green figure leaped out from the side with lightning speed. For a moment, time seemed to slow down.

Naoki clearly saw the Cyclizar, saw its resolute expression, the steely determination in its eyes.

For a brief moment, their gazes met.

Naoki seemed to hear the Cyclizar saying to him, "I can help you too, Naoki!"

Naoki was slightly dazed.

The next second, the Cyclizar slammed into Miraidon, knocking it aside.

Following Miraidon's momentum, it soared high into the sky, crashing straight into a massive building.

With a roar, a powerful force shattered the building's roof, revealing the functioning time machine below. Miraidon and the Cyclizar plummeted into it.

"Ah, Gah!"

Seeing this, the Koraidon's eyes seemed to spit fire, and an unprecedented fury surged from its heart.

Boom, boom, boom!

The immense force sent the two Koraidons and the Miraidon flying backwards.

Then, its crimson body shot out, practically transforming into a streak of red light, hurtling towards the time machine.

It reached out, trying to grab its past self.

But its speed was ultimately no match for the relentless pace of time.

In a flash of dazzling white light, the Cyclizar vanished.

Koraidon's grasp was empty.

"Ah! Gah! Hisss!"

At that moment, every Pokémon in the pit heard a roar of immense fury.

The immense power pierced their eardrums, instilling fear in their hearts.

Gazing at the terrifying figure, a wild Koraidon trembled uncontrollably.

Almost without hesitation, it turned, its heavily wounded body transforming into a flying form, soaring high into the sky. Wounded, it escaped the Paldea Crater, heading south until it finally landed on a remote beach.

Koraidon then slammed into the remaining Koraidon and Miraidon, its massive claws gripping the Miraidon's neck and delivering a devastating blow.

The Miraidon instantly lost its fighting ability.

Seeing this, the other Koraidon's face was filled with fear, and it retreated, attempting to flee.

But it was too late.

The crimson figure, like a demonic god, rushed towards it.

...

At the same time, a shrill warning sounded from the vast Area Zero Research Institute.

"Alert! Alert!!"

"The time machine is damaged..."

"The Paradise's defense system is activated!"